Harold Keith Johnson
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Harold Keith Johnson was a U.S. general. He served as the army chief of staff between 1964 and 1968.
He was born in Bowesmont, North Dakota in 1912. He came from a poor but close family and his early life was one of hard work and study. General Johnson joined the Boy Scouts as a youth and supported Scouting activities all his life. As Chief of Staff, he kept a Bible and a copy of the Boy Scout handbook on his desk. He often quoted the Scout oath in speeches, "On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country".
General Johnson was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. During World War II, he was taken prisoner of war and spent three years in captivity. Johnson also served in the Korean War. He was awarded the nation's second highest medal for bravery, The Distinguished Service Cross and promoted to Colonel.
As Chief of Staff, one of General Johnson's noteworthy accomplishments was creating the office of the Sergeant Major of the Army. General Johnson chose Sergeant Major William O. Wooldridge as the first to hold this post. General Johnson felt this would improve the quality of life for enlisted people.
During his term as Chief of Staff, he was involved in many policy debates regarding the escalation of the Vietnam War. He favored calling up the reserves, and was overruled by President Lyndon B. Johnson. He considered resigning in protest over this decision, and at the end of his life expressed his regret at not doing so.
General Johnson was the subject of a biography Honorable Warrior by Lewis Sorley.
He married Dorothy Rennix in 1935. He died September 24, 1983, in Washington, D.C..
Military history
- 1933: graduated from the United States Military Academy
- 1933–1937: Commissioned a second lieutenant and assigned to the 3d Infantry at Fort Snelling
- 1936: Promoted to first lieutenant
- 1938: Graduated from the Infantry School at Fort Benning
- 1938-1940: Served in the 28th Infantry at Fort Niagara
- 1940: Assigned to the 57th Infantry, Philippine Scouts, at Fort McKinley
- 1940: Promoted to temporary rank of captain
- 1941: Promoted to temporary rank of major
- 1942: Promoted to temporary rank of lieutenant colonel
- 1943: Promoted to permanent rank of captain
- 1942–1945: Was a battalion commander in the defense of the Philippines, was taken prisoner when Bataan fell, survived the Bataan Death March and imprisonment in the Philippines, Japan, and Korea, and was liberated by the 7th Infantry Division
- 1945: Promoted to temporary colonel
- 1947–1949: Instructor at Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth
- 1950: Commanded the 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry, at Fort Devens, 1950;
- 1950–1951: Battalion commander and commander of both the 5th and 8th Cavalry in Korean War operations
- 1951: Plans and operations officer of the I Corps, Far East Command
- 1951-1952: Plans and operations officer in the Office of the Chief of Army Field Forces at Fort Monroe
- 1953: Graduated from the National War College
- 1954–1955: Chief of the Joint War Plans Branch, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G–3
- 1956: Promoted to temporary brigadier general
- 1956: Promoted to permanent colonel
- 1955–1956: Executive officer in the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G–3
- 1956–1957: Assistant division commander of the 8th Infantry Division
- 1957–1959: Chief of staff of the American Seventh Army in Germany
- 1959–1960: Chief of staff of the Central Army Group, North Atlantic Treaty Organization
- 1959: Promoted to temporary major general
- 1960: Promoted to permanent brigadier general
- 1960–1963: Commandant of the Command and General Staff College
- 1963: Assistant and then acting deputy chief of staff for military operations
- 1963: Promoted to permanent major general
- 1963: Promoted to temporary lieutenant general
- 1964: Promoted to temporary general
- 1963–1964: Deputy chief of staff for military operations
- July 3, 1964 – July 2, 1968: Chief of Staff of the United States Army
- 1968: Retired from active service
Sources
"Thunderbolt" by Lewis Sorley ISBN 0-671-70115-0
[1] (http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/books/cg&csa/Johnson-HK.htm)
| Preceded by: Earle G. Wheeler | Chief of Staff of the United States Army 1964–1968 | Succeeded by: William C. Westmoreland |